Boyd Cass Real Estate - The Art of Real Estate

TO SAVE TIME
Do you really have the time, energy, or patience, to deal with all the prospective buyers, qualified or not, or curiosity seekers, who will contact you when you put your home on the market? How will you accommodate serious buyers, who may be from out of town, or on limited schedules, if you are at work, or on vacation,and unable to show them your home, when they are able to see it?

TO SAVE MONEY
Studies done by the National Association of Realtors show that sellers who use a realtor receive a higher net selling price, after payment of commission, than sellers who don't. Most full service realtors, in return for their commission, absorb all advertising and marketing costs associated with selling a property.

TO REACH THE BROADEST POSSIBLE MARKET
Most serious buyers, especially those from out of town, will contact a realtor as the first step in the buying process. A competent realtor will determine whether buyers are both motivated and financially capable of buying the house you are selling. Agents who represent buyers often steer clear of properties "for sale by owner" due to concerns about payment of commission and other issues. Listing your home with a realtor means that it will be placed in both the multi-list, which is accessed by thousands of area realtors who represent actual buyers, and in realtor.com, which is available to the public. These are by far the two largest on-line sites featuring real estate for sale. the more motivated and qualified buyers for your home, the higher its potential selling price.

NEGOTIATING
A good realtor is a good negotiator. Having a buffer between you and your buyer, or seller, can help you to achieve a better final outcome. As the final decision maker, you deal from a position of strength.

DOCUMENTS, DOCUMENTS, DOCUMENTS
Sales agreements, property condition disclosures, and inspections represent potentially serious hazards and hassles for both buyers and sellers. While virtually all the forms and documents you will need to buy or sell your home are available online, the provisions contained in them can present serious problems and pitfalls for the uninitiated. Whether you use a realtor or not, be sure to read them carefully.

INFORMATION
A good realtor, who knows his market, can be a great resource for finding the best local mortgage broker, home inspector, mover, or storage company, to name just a few.

UNDERSTANDING INFORMATION
With the advent of the internet, both realtors and the general public have access to the same raw data about homes that are for sale, and the prices of those homes. We realtors have lost our monopoly over information. Realtors who act only as conduits of information will deservedly become obsolete. The key for realtors, and their clients, is understanding and interpreting information as it applies to local markets. An experienced realtor will assist you in doing that, and help you to find the perfect home at the best price, or sell your home at the highest possible price.

IF YOU ARE A BUYER
If you have decided not to be represented by a realtor, always remember that, while listing agents will always be more than happy to show you their listings, they work for the seller, and are required by law to represent the best interests of the seller. If you employ a realtor to represent you as a buyer, they will be "in your corner" throughout the buying process. Their commission will be paid by the seller.